Mark Loewenstern

Mark Loewenstern

Mark Loewenstern is a winner of the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival and the Anna Zornio Award for Children’s Playwriting, as well as a three-time finalist for the Heideman Award and a nominee for a New York Independent Theater Award. His plays have been performed on 4 continents and he has received commissions from the Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation, California Stage Company and Vital Theatre...
Mark Loewenstern is a winner of the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival and the Anna Zornio Award for Children’s Playwriting, as well as a three-time finalist for the Heideman Award and a nominee for a New York Independent Theater Award. His plays have been performed on 4 continents and he has received commissions from the Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation, California Stage Company and Vital Theatre Company. Plays: Near Nellie Bly (O’Neill semi-finalist), Dorothea Puente Tells All! (sold-out runs at Sacramento Theatre Company and California Stage Company), One is the Road, Carnality, A Doctor’s Visit, The Nastiest Drink in the World, Parish Dunkeld, and The Slightly Exaggerated True Story of “Civic Virtue.” Films: Never No More, Holiday Rumble, Six Love Stories (starring Alicia Witt), 26 Months After Katrina, and Sinister Zoe. Mark’s one act plays are published through Samuel French and Smith & Kraus. Born in Philly and living in New York, Mark studied theater at the University of Pennsylvania, Kings College London and the Juilliard School. Dramatists Guild Member. Email him at goodyarn@hotmail.com.

Plays

  • 3rd Degree Tiresias by Mark Loewenstern
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: fable/folktale
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    Keyword: nonbinary, transgender characters + 1 more
    Genre: fable/folktale
    Keyword: nonbinary, transgender characters, Ancient Greek Myth
    Monologue. A twist on the Greek myth of the nonbinary prophet Tiresias, who was asked by Zeus and Hera, king and queen of the gods, who enjoys sex more.

    Soon to be published in WE/US, Monologues for the Gender Minority.
  • The Bloomingdale Road by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: drama, period
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    Keyword: New York history, real estate + 2 more
    Genre: drama, period
    Keyword: New York history, real estate, early feminism, Broadway
    20 MINUTE PLAY
    Over Thanksgiving, a gentleman farmer has a talk with his children about the family legacy, but it takes an unexpected turn. A love letter to real estate, urban growth and those who follow such things.
  • Carnality by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 7
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: drama
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    Keyword: Relationships, divorce + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Relationships, divorce, seduction, it's complicated
    10 MINUTE PLAY
    When your head wants one thing and the rest of you wants something else.
  • A Doctor's Visit by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 4 more
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    Keyword: judaism, Richard the Lionhearted + 8 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, faith-based, period, political
    Keyword: judaism, Richard the Lionhearted, Saladin, destructive religion, Islam, christianity, Maimonides, Crusades, historical, Award-Winning
    Winner of the Samuel French OOB Fest!

    10 MINUTE PLAY
    During the Crusades, a sick King Richard the Lionhearted is visited by the Sultan's personal physician, the Jewish sage Moses Maimonides. A different era's view of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
  • Dorothea Puente Tells All! An Evening with the Magnanimous, Distinguished and Noble Lady of Sacramento by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    7–12
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    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 3 more
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    Keyword: intergenerational, elder care + 4 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, horror, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: intergenerational, elder care, elder abuse, true crime, a role for an older actress, Latinx
    Dorothea Puente was a lifelong con-artist. Her abuse of the welfare system led directly to new federal legislation. In the Latinx community, she was loved as a pillar of the community though she herself was white. On November 11, 1988, police discovered 7 bodies buried in Dorothea Puente's yard, thanks in large part to the heroic efforts of a humble volunteer social worker. Mrs. Puente never stopped...
    Dorothea Puente was a lifelong con-artist. Her abuse of the welfare system led directly to new federal legislation. In the Latinx community, she was loved as a pillar of the community though she herself was white. On November 11, 1988, police discovered 7 bodies buried in Dorothea Puente's yard, thanks in large part to the heroic efforts of a humble volunteer social worker. Mrs. Puente never stopped maintaining her innocence and some never stopped believed her. In unraveling the truth of Dorothea Puente, this play also shows the rest of us something about our own needs and vulnerabilities, and how we can protect ourselves from people who would exploit us.
  • Grandmother's House by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 4
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: adaptation, drama
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    Keyword: Mental Health, elder abuse
    Genre: adaptation, drama
    Keyword: Mental Health, elder abuse
    10 MINUTE PLAY
    Renee pays Rose an unannounced visit. A new spin on Red Riding Hood, where granddaughter is the Wolf.

    Published in Canyon Voices, Spring 2021
  • Improvisational Conversation #2974 (Brenda Moore) by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: artificial intelligence, population control
    Genre: comedy, drama, political, science fiction
    Keyword: artificial intelligence, population control
    10 MINUTE PLAY
    An employee comes to the boss's office to talk out a difficult issue with a difficult human client. The door is opened to even more difficult problems that nobody wants to face.
  • Motivation by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: Church shootings, American Law Enforcement + 5 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, faith-based, political
    Keyword: Church shootings, American Law Enforcement, Hate Crimes, anti-Muslim prejudice, Muslim Americans, public shootings, gun plays
    SHORT PLAY
    Based on the shootings near the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque, Queens, NY. Written for Code Red #Faith.
  • The Nastiest Drink in the World by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: comedy, fable/folktale + 2 more
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    Keyword: female empowerment, magic + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, fable/folktale, musical, young audiences
    Keyword: female empowerment, magic, audience participation, Award-Winning, award winner, children's theater
    MUSICAL FOR CHILDREN
    WINNER OF THE ANNA ZORNIO PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S PLAYWRITING
    In the kingdom of Baloneya, the law says that King Fredipus is always right -- even when he's wrong! When his mistakes start to cause real harm, only a shy peasant girl named Samantha finds the courage to speak up and the ingenuity to set things right. How she does so gives the show its title, as she calls...
    MUSICAL FOR CHILDREN
    WINNER OF THE ANNA ZORNIO PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S PLAYWRITING
    In the kingdom of Baloneya, the law says that King Fredipus is always right -- even when he's wrong! When his mistakes start to cause real harm, only a shy peasant girl named Samantha finds the courage to speak up and the ingenuity to set things right. How she does so gives the show its title, as she calls upon the audience to assist her in the hilarious creation of The Nastiest Drink in the World.
  • Near Nellie Bly by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    8–24
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 2 more
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    Keyword: educational theater, educational + 5 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period
    Keyword: educational theater, educational, intergenerational, historical feminism, Mental Health, 19th century American women history, feminist
    (O'Neill Semi-Finalist)
    (Lanford Wilson Semi-Finalist)
    (Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival)
    (Epiphanies New Works Festival by Wild Imaginings)

    FULL LENGTH
    Nellie Bly, aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City, 1887. There she befriended a patient named Anne Neville....
    (O'Neill Semi-Finalist)
    (Lanford Wilson Semi-Finalist)
    (Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival)
    (Epiphanies New Works Festival by Wild Imaginings)

    FULL LENGTH
    Nellie Bly, aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City, 1887. There she befriended a patient named Anne Neville. After 10 days, Nellie was released. Anne stayed. This play tells the above story from Anne Neville’s perspective. It strives to show not what Nellie Bly did, but rather, WHY what Nellie Bly did was important.
  • Near Nellie Bly (one-act) by Mark Loewenstern
    Cast: 
    7–15
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, period
    ·
    Keyword: educational, docudrama/historic + 5 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, period
    Keyword: educational, docudrama/historic, 19th century women's history, college actors, high school actors, feminism, youth theater
    One-act version of O'Neill semi-finalist and Lanford Wilson semi-finalist play. Nellie Bly, aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City, 1887. There she befriended a patient named Anne Neville. After 10 days, Nellie was released. Anne stayed. This play tells the above story from Anne's perspective. In doing so...
    One-act version of O'Neill semi-finalist and Lanford Wilson semi-finalist play. Nellie Bly, aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City, 1887. There she befriended a patient named Anne Neville. After 10 days, Nellie was released. Anne stayed. This play tells the above story from Anne's perspective. In doing so, it aims to show not just what Nellie Bly did, but why it was important.

    For high-school, college and UIL productions.
    Additional roles for women can be added. Please contact the playwright to discuss.
  • Never No More by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: fable/folktale, fantasy + 1 more
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    Keyword: music, disabled persons + 6 more
    Genre: fable/folktale, fantasy, zoom
    Keyword: music, disabled persons, classical mythology, magic, magical realism, urban fantasy, Alcohol, greatforzoom
    10 MINUTE
    A hastily set-up Zoom date takes an unexpected turn to a place of Dionysian magic.
    Can be performed on Zoom or live.
  • One is the Road by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 27
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    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, radio drama
    ·
    Keyword: idealized love, Relationships + 1 more
    Genre: drama, radio drama
    Keyword: idealized love, Relationships, zoom
    SHORT PLAY
    Our protagonist drives home from vacation with his wife. He relates to us the 7 things he is thinking and doing moment-to-moment over the course of a crucial five minutes in his life.

    Published in S&K's Best 10 Minute Plays of 2019
    2014 Nominee for Best Short Script -- New York Innovative Theatre Awards
  • Parish Dunkeld by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    12
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, docudrama/historic + 2 more
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    Keyword: ensemble, democracy + 4 more
    Genre: adaptation, docudrama/historic, drama, period
    Keyword: ensemble, democracy, college, university, large cast, colleges and high schools
    FULL-LENGTH - PUBLISHED BY NEXT STAGE PRESS
    In rural Scotland in 1793, a small parish believes it is safe from the revolutions shaking the world. But when a well-intentioned man of reason arrives, bringing violent upheaval, the people of Parish Dunkeld must fight their way back from the brink.

    "It is a thinking person's art, not just an evening's entertainment." PGN
  • The Plate by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: food, Hunger + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, political, satire
    Keyword: food, Hunger, American capitalism
    MONOLOGUE

    The HOST comes to offer a short prayer for our times, on behalf of us all.

    Written for Playwrights Thriving February 2021 Food themed shorts
  • A Round by Mark Loewenstern
    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: political
    ·
    Keyword: pandemic, meat + 3 more
    Genre: political
    Keyword: pandemic, meat, deforestation, ecology, climate crisis
    (One Minute Play)

    A rhythmic snapshot of the link between pandemics and the over-consumption of meat.
  • The Slightly Exaggerated True Story of "Civic Virtue" by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–20
    ·
    Genre: biography, comedy + 2 more
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    Keyword: feminism, History + 4 more
    Genre: biography, comedy, docudrama/historic, political
    Keyword: feminism, History, art, Public Statues, Controversial, 20th century history of women
    ONE-ACT
    The marble sculpture "Civic Virtue Triumphant Over Unrighteousness" caused an uproar before it was even installed outside City Hall in New York City, in 1922. This uproar lasted for over 90 years. It is here presented for your viewing pleasure in about 20 minutes
  • SYATP by Mark Loewenstern
    Recommendations: 9
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    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, political
    ·
    Keyword: gun plays, Church shootings
    Genre: drama, political
    Keyword: gun plays, Church shootings
    SHORT PLAY
    A monologue inspired by the shooting at Wedgwood Baptist Church, September 1999. Written for Code Red Playwrights: Enough / Volume #4